ANNOUNCEMENT
The Cabinet Committee on Security approved “AGNIPATH Scheme” on June 14, 2022; paving the way for the youth of India to serve Indian Armed Forces.
The scheme will help to train the youth in new technologies and improve their health levels. It would also increase employment opportunities in India.
INTRODUCTION
AGNIPATH is a pan India merit based recruitment scheme for enrolling Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen. The scheme provides an opportunity for youth to serve in the regular cadre of the armed forces in India.
All those recruited under the AGNIPATH scheme will be called “AGNIVEERS”.
Agniveers will be enrolled for a service of duration of 4 years including training period. After four years, only 25% of the Agniveers will be retained in the regular cadre based on merit, willingness and medical fitness.
Anginveers, if commissioned in regular cadre; will serve for a full term of another 15 years.
The first four years served under a contract, are not likely to be taken into consideration for the fixation of the final pensionary benefits.
The other 75% Agniveers will be demobilised, with an exit or “SEVA NIDHI” package of ₹11-12 lacs, partly funded by their monthly contributions, as well as skill certificates and bank loans for help in their second careers.
RECRUITMENT
- Candidate will be enrolled under the respective service act for a service duration of 4 years.
- Centralised transparent screening assessment based on merit and demonstrated performance during service.
- 100% candidate can apply on volunteer basis to enroll in regular cadre.
- Age criteria – 17.5yrs to 23yrs
For all AGNIVEERS who achieve Veergati, full payment of unserved service years will be given.
The AGNIPATH scheme army age will be between 17.5 years to 25 years.
SEVA NIDHI
- Up to 25% AGNIVEERS to be selected as regular cadre based in central transparent system after four years.
- 100% candidates can apply on volunteer basis to enroll in regular cadre.
- They will be entitled to awards, medals and insurance cover like the regular cadre of Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors.
- Corpus of ₹10.04 lacs plus accrued interest exempted from Income Tax, after four years.
DEATH COMPENSATION
- Non-Contributory life insurance cover of ₹48lacs.
- Additional Ex Gratia of ₹44 lacs for death attributable to service.
- Pay for unserved portion upto 4 years including “SEVA NIDHI” component.
DISABILITY COMPENSATION
- Compensation based on the percentage disability laid down by medical authorities.
- One time EX Gratia of ₹44/25/15 lacs for 100%/75%/50% disability respectively.
WOMEN SAILORS
There are several women sailors in Indian Navy and this scheme – AGNIPATH will help more women to join Indian Navy.
FUTURE OF AGNIVEERS
- IGNOU + UGC Under Graduation Certificate with 50% credit
- Banking System Jobs
- Manufacturing Jobs
- UP – MP – Uttrakhand offered “Police Jobs”.
- HMO – Assam Rifles+ CAPFs
- Education Department is preparing new course for Grade 10 & 12 in line with AGNIPATH scheme.
After 4 years of service, 75% of the AGNIVEERS will be in civil society with Ex Gratia of ₹11.70 lacs. Government of India has arranged many jobs for them. Even they can go private jobs. Other than these all, AGNIVEERS can go for small level business. They will have access to the loan of ₹18 lacs without collateral.
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR
- A transformation reform of recruitment policy of the Armed Forces.
- A unique opportunity for the youth to serve the country and contribute to Nation building.
- Armed Forces profile to be youthful and dynamic.
- Attractive financial packages for the AGNIVEERS.
- Availability of well disciplined and skilled youth with military ethos in civil society.
- Adequate re-employment opportunities for those returning to society and who could emerge as role models of youth.
The one of the biggest challenges confronting India’s Military Modernization is the “Defense Budget”. In 2020, India’s defense budget stood at around $72.9 billion, while that of China amounted to about $178 billion. The one single problem in India’s case is that the payroll expenditure for a manpower intensive Indian Army.
The army took up fully 56% of the 2020-21 budget or $38billion. Approximately $7 billion was alloted for capital expenditure which is procurement of modern armaments and spares.
The AGNIPATH scheme is aimed at reducing the salary component in the revenue expenditure and the pension bill which together account for roughly half of the annual defense budget.
CRITICISM
The scheme has attracted a lot of flak from many serving as well as retired officers, who stress it takes seven to eight years to become a fully trained combat-ready Soldier, Airmen or Sailor. The scheme will lead to poorly motivated and trained military personnel, who may become risk-averse because the bulk of them will be have to hunt for second careers after four years.
The basic ethos of an Indian Soldier revolves around “Naam, Namak and Nishan”. They fight against almost insurmountable odds. Short term or contractual employment will impact the fighting spirit.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Indian Air Force to start recruitment under AGNIPATH from 24 June, 2022.
Indian Army to start recruitment under AGNIPATH from 09 July, 2022.
India's Supremacy 
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